Spring unit structure forming apparatus



Feb. 25, 1964 E. A. KAMP s am: mm: sT UcTuRE FORMING APPARATUS 4Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 23, 1961 w W N m. QM N 1% Q w g ww km Feb. 25,1964 E. A. KAMP 3,122,177

SPRING UNIT STRUCTURE FORMING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 23, 1961 4Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

W Mada/Q1 Feb. 25, 1964 E. A. KAMP 3,122,177

SPRING UNIT STRUCTURE FORMING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 23, 1961 4Sheets-Sheet 3 BY. 53 w 2&

Feb. 25, 1964 M 3,122,177

SPRING UNIT STRUCTURE FORMING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 23, 1961 4Sheets-Sheet 4 33 i/Zji/m INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,122,177 SE RENG UNET EZTRUCTURE APPARATUS EwaldA. Kemp, Chicago, 151., assignor to The Englander empany, 122., Chicago,iii, a corporation oi Belaware Filed den. 23, 1%51, Ser. No. 84,l9 3Claims. (1. res-92.7)

The present invention relates to machines for assembling coil springstogether by means of helical retaining or binding elements to formspring cores for inner spring mattresses, and is concerned moreparticularly with the production of the helical spring retaining orbinding elements used in these machines.

'Machines of this character form inner spring mattress cores byassembling together successive rows of coil springs by means of helicalspring retaining elements, each row of springs in a mattress core beingbound to the next adjacent row of springs by two helical retainingeleents which extend transversely across the rnatress core along theupper and lower sides, respectively, of the core. In a typical assemblymachine of this character, the pair of helicfl spring retaining elementsused to bind each successive row of springs to the preceding row ofsprings assembled in the core being formed are driven simultaneouslyinto assembled relation to the coacting springs.

In mattress core assembly machines of the type which are the specialconcern of this invention, successive pairs of helical retainingelements are produced in timed relation to cycling of the machine bymeans of elical retaining element supply apparatus which forms eachsuccessive pair of retaining elements simultaneously. Conventionalhelical retaining element forming apparatus previously used in springcore assembly machines of the character recited has been characterizedby a number of shortcomings and inadequacies which are overcome by thepresent invention.

Accordingly, one object of the invention is to provide, for use with aspring core assembly machine of the character recited, new and improvedmeans for automatically forming spring retaining helices from wirestock, in a manner which assures unfailing dimensional accuracy in thelength of each helix formed, thus providing full effectiveness of theindividual retaining helices upon assembly of the retaining helices in amattress core, while at the same time obviating any necessity fortrimming the assembled helices.

Another object is to provide, for forming pairs of spring retaininghelices simultaneously, new and improved helices producing apparatuswhich operates automatically and dependably to form each springretaining helix of each successively formed pair of helices to an exactpredetermined length.

Another object is to provide an improved spring retaining helicesforming machine of the character recited which utilizes a continuouslymoving mechanical power drive to intermittently produce pairs or" springretaining helices, each of which has a longitudinal length accuratelyconforming to prede errru'ned dimensional specifications.

Another object is to provide improved apparatus of the characterrecited, in which pairs of spring retaining helices are formedsimultaneously from two wires which are driven simultaneously through apair of helices forming "ice dies by means of common power drivestructure which is operated continuously, thus obviating the necessityfor starting and stopping the power drive srtucture, even though thehelices are formed only intermittently.

Another object is to provide wire helix producing apparatus in which thelength of each of two helices formed simultaneously by the operation ofa common power drive is determined independently of the length of theother helix to accurately conform to predetermined dimensionalspecifications.

Another object is to provide improved wire helix forming apparatus inwhich the formation of individual helices and the cutting of theindividual helices to exact lengths are controlled by a common poweractuator.

A further object is to provide spring retaining helices producing appratus of the character recited in the preceding objects which isinherently capable or" operating dependably without strain over a longservice life.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingdescription of the exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrated inthe drawings, in which:

FZGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a spring core assembly machineincorporating the fllustrated embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken with reference to the line22 of FIG. 1, and illustrating the relationship of a helical retainingelement to coacting springs which are assembled together in the machineof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end View of the helices forrnin apparatus taken withreference to the line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view on an enlarged scale, taken withreference to the line 44 of FIG. 3;

5 is a vertically extended, side elevational view of the apparatusillustrated in PEG. 3, as viewed from the right-hand side of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a plan view looking down from the top, with reference to FIG.4;

FIG. 7 is a simplified sectional view, taken with reference to the line7-7 of iFl-G. 1, and illustrating control witches which respond to thepositioning of a helical spring retaining element in the assemblymachine;

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of the mechanisms and controls usedin producing successive pairs of helices;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of helix forming s ructure, takengenerally along the line 9-9 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional View, taken generally along the lineltl'l=3 of BIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional View, taken with reference to line11-11 of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 12 is a side view of a typical pair of spring assembly helices usedin the machine.

Referring to the drawings in greater detail, the invention is embodiedin an assembly machine 20 designed to assemble spring cores forinnerspring mattresses from preformed coil springs. The machine 2%comprises a spring assembly unit 22 defining a spring receiving throat24 in which rows of coil springs 26 are positioned for assembly into aninnerspring mattress core comprising a plurality of juxtaposed rows ofsprings. The individual springs 26 have a generally hourglass ordumbbell shape in which spiral spring convolutions extend betweencircular convolutions 28 on opposite ends of the springs. Theconvolutions 28 on the lower ends of adjacent springs in two successiverows of springs 26 inserted into the throat 24 are illustrated in FIG.2.

The basic construction of the spring assembly unit 22 of the machine 20is well known in the art. The machine unit 22 illustrated in thedrawings is commercially available from the Frank L. Wells Company, ofKenosha, Wisconsin. Hence, it is unnecessary here to present a detaileddescription of the various mechanisms used in this machine unit.

The assembly in the machine unit 22 of a spring core unit for aninnerspring mattress begins with the placement of a row of springs 26 inthe assembly throat 2.4. This first row of springs is located in thethroat 24 immediately to the rear of the positions within the throat inwhich succeeding rows of springs to be assembled are placed.

Placement of the initial row of springs 26 in a rearward position withinthe throat 24 is followed by placement of an identical row of springs inthe throat 24 in juxtaposition to the preceding row.

The two juxtaposed rows of springs 26 thus positioned in the throat 24are bound together in assembled relation to each other by means of apair of helical retaining or binding elements 31), 32, which forsimplicity will be referred to in some instances as helices. A typicalpair of helices 30, 32, used in assembling each row of springs 26 to apreceding row of springs in the machine, is illustrated in FIG. 12.These helices are formed from wire stock, as will presently appear, andwill be referred to, respectively, with reference to the drawings, asthe upper helix 3t) and the lower helix 32.

After a row of springs 26 has been placed in the throat 2.4 in readinessfor assembly to a preceding row of springs, the machine unit 22 cyclesto move two previously formed helices 30, 32 through helical paths whichthread the helices into binding relation to the adjacent endconvolutions 28 on the upper and lower ends, respectively, of thesprings 26 of the adjacent spring rows.

FIGURE 2 illustrates the manner in which the lower helix 32 is threadedinto retaining or binding relation to the lower convolutions 28 ofcorresponding springs 26 of two adjacent rows of springs. The structuralcomponents of the machine unit 22 which drives a pair of helices 30, 32into binding relation to adjoining springs are conventional and need notbe described in detail here. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the meansprovided in the machine unit 22 for driving the upper helix 3% intobinding relation to the springs 26 comprises a pair of opposed helixdriving roller elements 31, 33 disposed in opposed spaced relation toeach other to receive therebetween and to frictionally engage a helix 3!The roller elements 31, 33 are located adjacent one end of the row ofsprings 26 to be bound and are driven intermittently by a motor 35 toimpart a rotary motion to the intervening helix 3% causing the helix tothread its way endwise into binding relation to the springs 26. Rotarymotion imparted to a helix 30 by the roller elements 31, 33 shown inFIG. 7 is continued by conventional helix driving roller means (notspecifically illustrated) extending along the throat 24. Similarly, thelower helix 32 is driven rotatably into the throat 24 by a pair of lowerhelix driving roller elements 37 driven intermittently by a motor 39.

The completion of movement of a pair of helices 30, 32 into assembledrelation to coacting springs is sensed by two switches 34, 36, FIGS. 1and 8, connected electrically in series with each other. Tripping of thetwo sensing switches 34, 36 by the helices 39, 32 driven into theirfully assembled positions causes the machine unit 22 to cycle, toretract the assembled springs through the throat 24 through a distanceapproximately equal to the diameter of the end convolutions 28 on anindividual spring. This readies the machine unit 22 for reception ofanother row of springs in the throat 24, for repetition of the assemblycycle.

The helices 30, 32 used in the successive assembly cycles of the machineunit 22 are supplied in pairs by a helices forming unit 38 of themachine 20 which is designed to operate automatically in timed relationto the assembly unit 22 to produce two helices 3G, 32 simultaneouslyfrom wire stock.

Having reference to FIG. 4 of the drawings, two helices 3t), 32 areformed simultaneously in the machine unit 38 by two helix forming dies49, 42 mounted on one side of a vertical support plate 44 in the machineunit 38. As shown, the support plate 44 is mounted on an underlying base46 which provides support to a driving motor 48.

As shown, the two dies 4%, 42 are formed generally as mirror images ofeach other, the die 40 being positioned in overlying vertically spacedrelation to the die 42. The two dies 49, 42 are oriented to dischargehelices 3t 32 into two parallel, vertically spaced tubes 50, 52 whichextend, with reference to FIG. 1, from the immediate vicinity of theforming dies 49, '42 to the right hand end of the spring assembly throat24. The two tubes 50, 52 serve to support two helices 3t 32 in readinessfor threading into assembled relation to the upper and lower ends ofadjacent rows of springs, as previously described. It will be understoodthat the helices 30, 32 travel from right to left in moving into theirassembled positions, the previously mentioned sensing switches 34, 36being located at the left end of the throat.

Two wires 54, S6, supplied from reels of wire stock are forced throughthe respective helix forming dies 40, 42 by two pairs of wire feeding ordriving rollers 58, 6t and 62, 64.

Even though the successive pairs of helices 39, 32 are formed onlyintermittently, provision is made for rotatably driving all the feedrollers 53, 6t and 62, 64 continuously, thus obviating the need forstarting and stopping the feed rollers and the driving structure used torotate the rollers.

All four feed rollers 58 to 64 are driven continuously from the electricdriving motor 48 which is continuously energized while the assemblymachine 20 is in operation. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the motor 48 isconnected through a belt 66 to drive a pinion 6S meshing with a bullgear 76 supported on a horizontal gear driving shaft '72 journaled inthe vertical support plate 44. The shaft 72 also supports the previouslymentioned feed roller 64, the gear 7t being located on the side of thesupport 44 opposite from the feed rollers. The shaft 72 is connectednonrotatably to both the feed roller 64 and the bull gear 70.

A gear 74 nonrotatably mounted on the driving shaft '72 between the gear75 and the support 44, as shown in FIG. 3, meshes with a gear 76, whichdrives the feed roller 62 through a common drive shaft 78 for the roller62 and gear 76.

The gear 74 also meshes with a gear 8% which drives the feed roller 66through a common support shaft 82 journaled on the support 44. The geared, in turn, meshes with a gear 86 which drives the feed roller 53through a common support shaft 88 journaled on the support 44. Theperipheries of the upper pair of feed rollers 58, 649 define grooves 9%,92, FIG. 6, designed to engage opposite sides of the wire 54 fed betweenthe rollers. The lower pair of rollers 62, 64 are similarly grooved toengage the coacting wire 56.

The wire 54 emerging from between the rollers 58, 60 is guided into theupper helix forming die 49, FIGS. 4, 9 and it), by a wire guiding block94 defining a wire guiding bore 96 extending to the input end of the die40 from the position where the wire 54 emerges from between the coactingdriving rollers. Similarly, the wire 56 issuing from between the feedrollers 62, 64 is directed into the inlet end of the die 42 by a guideblock 98, FIG. 4, forming the counterpart of the guide block 94described.

Wire gripping or driving pressure is applied between the opposingrollers of the two pairs of wire driving rollers only intermittently asnecessary to form successive pairs of helices 30, 32.

To provide for cont ol of the wire driving pressure between the rollers58, 69, the support shaft 88 for the roller 5-8 is supported on theplate 44 by a spherical bearing 1%, FIG. 6. The spherical supportbearing 1%, itself, is formed on a conventional commercially availableconstruction. It provides freedom of the shaft 88 to swing sufficientlyto release wire driving pressure of the roller 58 on the wire 54.

Similarly, the shaft 78 is supported on the plate 44 by a conventionalspherical bearing 182, FIG. 3, which allows movement of the roller 62 torelease driving pressure on the wire 56.

Wire gripping pressure is applied between the opposed rollers 58, 61 bypower actuating means which provides for substantially instantaneousapplication and release of the wire gripping pressure. For this purpose,a powerful pneumatic actuating cylinder 124 is mounted on the side ofthe support 44 opposite from the rollers 58, 6% and located above thegears 89, 35, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. The power output plunger 1% ofthe cylinder 124 connects with a lever 1&3 which operates through ahorizontal shaft 119, FIG. 5, to effect rotary displacement of apressure applying cam 112 located on the opposite side of the support44-. The earn 112 operates against a cam following carriage 114 whichsupports two pressure applying rollers 116, 118, FIG. 4, in engagementwith the periphery of the roller 53 at the side of the roller 58generally opposite from the roller 61). The pressure applying follower114 is mounted on suitable support structure 12% which holds thefollower 114 against movement around the axis of the shaft 88, whileproviding for movement of the follower toward and away from the axis ofthe shaft 33.

The air cylinder 194 is controlled by an electrically operated controlvalve 122 positioned at one end of the cylinder, as shown in FIG. 5.

To apply driving pressure between the rollers 58, 66, the valve 122 isoperated to efiect retraction of the output rod 196 of the cylinder 104.This effects compression of a pressure spring 124 encircling the rod 106between a spring seat 126 on the rod and the lever 19%, FIG. 5. Thecompressive force in the spring 124 acts to swing the cam 112 in theclockwise direction with reference to FIG. 4, to force the roller 58toward the roller 61 to apply feeding pressure to the wire 54, whereuponthe rollers 58, 61) which have been rotating continuously, force thewire through the die 4% from which the wire emerges in the form of ahelix.

To release the wire driving pressure on the rollers 58, 69, the valve122 is operated to extend the actuating rod 111% to swing the cam 112 inthe counterclockwise direction with reference to FIG. 4, to allow theroller 53 to move away from the roller 60.

The means used to control application of wire gripping ressure betweenthe rollers 58, 6i? is duplicated for controlling the application ofwire gripping pressure between the rollers 62, 64. Thus, as shown, apneumatic actuating cylinder 131) controlled by a valve 132 operatesthrough a cylinder rod 134, compression spring 136, arm 138, shaft 14s(FIG. 5) and cam 142 (FIG. 4) to apply wire clamping pressure throughfollower carriage 144 and pressure rollers 146 to the rollers 62, 4.

The power actuators 104, 131 are connected to sever helices formed inthe respective dies 40, 42, as an incident to operation of the actuatorsto release wire driving pressure from the respective pairs of rollers58, es, and 62, 64.

As shown in FIG. 4, the pressure applying cam 112 operated by theactuator 1il4 is formed at one side of the control shaft 119 on one endof a lever 1515 which projects beyond the other side of the shaft 111)to pivotally connect with an actuating head 152 for a reciprocable helixshearing plunger or die 154, FIGS. 4 and 9 to 11.

The shearing plunger 1-54 is reciprocably mounted in a support block 15dfor the die 41 for transverse movement across the outlet end of acylindrical barrel 158 from which the helix formed in the die 41 issuestoward the tube 50. A shearing or severing edge 169 formed on theplunger 154 coacts with the barrel 153, which has an oblique outer end,to sever the portion of the adjacent helix which extends from the helixforming die 4% beyond the shearing edge 160.

It will be recalled that the power actuator 164 rotates the controlshaft in the clockwise direction with reference to FIG. 4 to applygripping pressurebetween the rollers 58, 69. This movement of the shaft116 retracts the shearing plunger or knife 154 from its helix severingposition. Subsequent operation of the actuator 1114 to turn the controlshaft 11% in the counterclockwise direction releases the grippingpressure between the rollers 58, 6t} and follows through to move thehelix shearing plunger 154 into shearing relation to the barrel 158, tocut off a helix 3%, as described.

In a similar manner, the other control actuator 13% operates through thecontrol shaft 141 and lever 162 on the shaft 14 1) in a connector 164 toactuate a shearing plunger 166 which forms a counterpart of thepreviously described shearing plunger 154. The plunger 166 operates inthe same manner as the plunger 154 to sever the helix 32, as an incidentto operation of the actuator 1319 to release driving pressure on therollers 62, 64.

The two helix forming control actuators 164, 1311 are synchronized withthe spring assembly unit 22, to initiate production of a pair of helices3t 32 in timed relation to cycling of the machine unit 22. As previouslydescribed, movement of two helices 3t 32 into assembled relation tocoacting rows of springs 26 operates the two sensing switches 34, 36, toinitiate a spring assembly retracting phase of the operating cycle ofthe unit 22. This operational phase is sensed by a suitablesynchronizing switch 17%, illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 8. Thisfigure also illustrates diagrammatically how the sensing switch 176 isoperated by an assembly unit machine element 172 upon closure of theswitches 34, 36. The sensing switch is connected electrically to the twocontrol valves 122, 132, to operate the two actuators 124, to applydriving pressure to the two wires 54, 56, FIG. 4, to start production ofanother pair of assembly helices 36, 32.

Even though the two helices 319, 32 are produced simultaneously, thelength of each helix is controlled and determined independently of theproduction and termination of the other helix.

The helices 39, 32 being formed move through the tubes 51 52, asdescribed, until the leading ends of the respective helices actuate twosensing switches 181), 182 located adjacent the throat 24, near theoutlet ends of the tubes 59, 52, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 8. The sensingswitches 18%, 182 operate independently of each other and are connectedto the respective valves 122, 132, to effect operation of the actuators124, 13%) independently of each other.

The spacing of the switches 181i, 132 from the respective cut-off orsevering plungers 154, 165, determines the length of the respectivehelices 3t 32. Triggering of the switch 189 causes the actuator 104 tovirtually instantaneously release driving pressure on the wire 54. Thevirtually instantaneous response of the actuator 124 to the switch toterminate production of the helix 30 stems from the high actuating powerof the actuator 154 in relation to the relatively low inertia of therather light weight parts used to apply gripping pressure between therollers 58, 61). While the rollers 58, 6t and the transmission used torotate the rollers have rather large rotary inertia, this is of noconsequence, since this structure continues to rotate. The pressurereleasing movement of the light weight parts which apply pressure to theroller 58 is extremely fast and effects a substantially instantaneousstopping of movement of wire through the die 40. The actuator 104follows through to sever the helix 3% which has a length which isconformed precisely to predetermined dimensional specifications by thesubstantially instantaneous stopping of movement of the wire 54 throughthe die 40, in response to operation of the switch 180.

In a similar manner, the switch 182 operates through the valve 132 toeffect an extremely accurate dimensioning of the helix 32 independentlyof the length of the helix 30.

The accuracy with which the lengths of the helices 30, 32 is determinedobviates any necessity for trimming or otherwise working of the helicesto compensate for variances in the lengths of the helices, which is ofdecided advantage in manufacturing the spring core units.

The fact that the wire feeding rollers in the machine unit 38 arerotated continuously obviates complications which would arise from anynecessity for starting and stopping these rollers intermittently in theproduction of successive pairs of helices.

It will be appreciated that the invention is not necessarily limited touse of the particular construction illustrated, but includes the use ofvariants and alternatives within the scope of the invention as definedby the claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. In a machine for intermittently producing wire helices each of whichhas a predetermined exact overall length, the combination of first andsecond wire driving rollers, means supporting said rollers in opposingrelation to each other and including means for permitting limitedmovement of said first roller toward and away from said second roller,continuous drive means connected to at least one of said rollers torotate the latter continuously, wire supplying means for supplying wireto said rollers for movement therebetween, wire driving pressureapplying means coacting with said first roller to urge the latterforcefully toward said second roller to apply effective Wire drivingpressure to wire intervening between the rollers, said wire drivingpressure applying means including a fast acting power actuator forreleasing said first roller for movement away from said second roller toeffectively terminate the application of wire driving pressure to wireintervening between the rollers, said power actuator being operableindependently of both said rollers and said continuous drive meanstherefor to release said first roller for movement away from said secondroller independently of the instantaneous rotary positions of both ofsaid rollers, a helix forming die positioned to receive and form into ahelix wire discharged from between said rollers upon the application ofdriving pressure to the wire by the rollers, helix and sensing meansconnected to control said roller releasing actuator and being positionedin spaced relation to said die to sense and respond to movement into apredetermined first location or" the leading end of a ,helix beingdischarged from said die, helix severing means positioned to sever at apredetermined second location between said die and said first location ahelix discharged from said die, said helix sensing means beingpositioned in relation to said helix severing means to provide apredetermined exact spacing between said first location at which saidsensing means responds to the leading end of a helix to eifect releaseof said first roller for movement away from said second roller and saidsecond location at which said severing means severs a helix dischargedfrom said die, and means for guiding a helix from said second locationto said first location.

2. In a machine for intermittently producing wire helices each of whichhas a predetermined exact overall length, the combination of first andsecond wire driving rollers, means suppq ting said rollers in opposingrelation to each other and including means for permitting limitedmovement of said first roller toward and away from said second roller,continuous drive means connected to at least one of said rollers torotate the latter continuously, wire supplying means for supplying wireto said rollers for movement therebetween, cam means coacting with saidfirst roller to move the latter toward said second roller to applyeffective wire driving pressure to wire intervening between the rollers,a reciprocatory pneumatic actuating motor connected to said cam tooperate the latter to effect movement of said first roller toward andaway from said second roller independently of the instantaneous rotarypositions of both of said rollers, a helix forming die positioned toreceive and form into a helix wire discharged from between said rollersupon the application of driving pressure to the wire by the rollers,control means for said actuating motor including a helix end sensingswitch positioned in spaced relation to said die to sense and respond tomovement into 7 a predetermined first location of the leading end of ahelix being discharged from said die, helix severing means positioned tosever at a predetermined second location between said die and said firstlocation a helix discharged from said die, means connecting saidactuating motor to said severing means to operate the latter to sever ahelix at said second location as an incident to operation of saidactuating motor to effect movement of said first roller away from saidsecond roller, said helix sensing switch being positioned in relation tosaid helix severing means to provide a predetermined exact spacingbetween said first location and said second location, means for guidinga helix from said second location to said first location, and saidcontrol means including means for operating said actuating motor toeffect movement of said first roller away from said second roller inresponse to operation of said switch by movement of the leading end of aswitch into said first location.

3. In a machine for intermittently producing pairs of wire helices eachof which has a predetermined exact overall length, the combination oftwo pairs of wire driving rollers, means supporting the two rollers ofeach pair in opposing relation to each other and including means forpermitting limited movement of a first roller of each pair toward andaway from the other roller of the pair, continuous drive means connectedto at least one roller of each pair to effect continuous rotation of therollers connected with the drive means, wire supplying means forsupplying wires to said respective pairs of rollers between the rollersof each pair, two independent wire driving pressure applying means forsaid respective pairs of rollers, each Wire driving pressure applyingmeans coacting with said first roller of the corresponding pair to urgethe coacting first roller forcefully toward said other roller of thepair to apply effective wire driving pressure to wire interveningbetween the two rollers, each wire driving pressure applying meansincluding a fast acting power actuator for releasing said coacting firstroller for movement away from said other roller of the coacting pair toeffectively terminate the application of wire driving pressure to wireintervening between the rollers, each power actuator being operableindependently of both rollers of the corresponding pair and saidcontinuous drive means therefor to release said first roller formovement away from said other roller of the corresponding pairindependently of the instantaneous rotary positions of both rollers ofthe pair, two helix forming dies positioned to receive and form intohelices wires discharged from between said respective pairs of rollers,two helix end sensing means connected to said respective actuators toeffect operation of the latter for releasing said respective firstrollers for movement away from said other rollers, said two helix endsensing means being positioned in spaced relation to said respectivedies to sense and respond respectively to movements into predeterminedfirst locations of the leading ends of helices being discharged fromsaid respective dies, two helix severing means positioned to severrespectively at two predetermined second locations between saidrespective dies and said respective first locations helices dischargedfrom said respective dies, said two helix end sensing means beingpositioned in relation to said respective helix severing means toprovide between each of said first locations and the correspondingsecond location a predetermined exact spacing, and means for guidinghelices from said respective second locations to the corresponding firstlocations.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS IobkeSept. 22, 1931 Bond Dec. 8, 1931 Heilman et a1 Mar, 8, 1938 Taylor Sept.12, 1939 Bergstrorn Feb. 16, 1960 Freundlich Nov. 22, 1960 Spuhl Nov.20, 1962

1. IN A MACHINE FOR INTERMITTENTLY PRODUCING WIRE HELICES EACH OF WHICHHAS A PREDETERMINED EXACT OVERALL LENGTH, THE COMBINATION OF FIRST ANDSECOND WIRE DRIVING ROLLERS, MEANS SUPPORTING SAID ROLLERS IN OPPOSINGRELATION TO EACH OTHER AND INCLUDING MEANS FOR PERMITTING LIMITEDMOVEMENT OF SAID FIRST ROLLER TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID SECOND ROLLER,CONTINUOUS DRIVE MEANS CONNECTED TO AT LEAST ONE OF SAID ROLLERS TOROTATE THE LATTER CONTINUOUSLY, WIRE SUPPLYING MEANS FOR SUPPLYING WIRETO SAID ROLLERS FOR MOVEMENT THEREBETWEEN, WIRE DRIVING PRESSUREAPPLYING MEANS COACTING WITH SAID FIRST ROLLER TO URGE THE LATTERFORCEFULLY TOWARD SAID SECOND ROLLER TO APPLY EFFECTIVE WIRE DRIVINGPRESSURE TO WIRE INTERVENING BETWEEN THE ROLLERS, SAID WIRE DRIVINGPRESSURE APPLYING MEANS INCLUDING A FAST ACTING POWER ACTUATOR FORRELEASING SAID FIRST ROLLER FOR MOVEMENT AWAY FROM SAID SECOND ROLLER TOEFFECTIVELY TERMINATE THE APPLICATION OF WIRE DRIVING PRESSURE TO WIREINTERVENING BETWEEN THE ROLLERS, SAID POWER ACTUATOR BEING OPERABLEINDEPENDENTLY OF BOTH SAID ROLLERS AND SAID CONTINUOUS DRIVE MEANSTHEREFOR TO RELEASE SAID FIRST ROLLER FOR MOVEMENT AWAY FROM SAID SECONDROLLER INDEPENDENTLY OF THE INSTANTANEOUS ROTARY POSITIONS OF BOTH OFSAID ROLLERS, A HELIX FORMING DIE POSITIONED TO RECEIVE AND FORM INTO AHELIX WIRE DISCHARGED FROM BETWEEN SAID ROLLERS UPON THE APPLICATION OFDRIVING PRESSURE TO THE WIRE BY THE ROLLERS, HELIX AND SENSING MEANSCONNECTED TO CONTROL SAID ROLLER RELEASING ACTUATOR AND BEING POSITIONEDIN SPACED RELATION TO SAID DIE TO SENSE AND RESPOND TO MOVEMENT INTO APREDETERMINED FIRST LOCATION OF THE LEADING END OF A HELIX BEINGDISCHARGED FROM SAID DIE, HELIX SEVERING MEANS POSITIONED TO SEVER AT APREDETERMINED SECOND LOCATION BETWEEN SAID DIE AND SAID FIRST LOCATION AHELIX DISCHARGED FROM SAID DIE, SAID HELIX SENSING MEANS BEINGPOSITIONED IN RELATION TO SAID HELIX SEVERING MEANS TO PROVIDE APREDETERMINED EXACT SPACING BETWEEN SAID FIRST LOCATION AT WHICH SAIDSENSING MEANS RESPONDS TO THE LEADING END OF A HELIX TO EFFECT RELEASEOF SAID FIRST ROLLER FOR MOVEMENT AWAY FROM SAID SECOND ROLLER AND SAIDSECOND LOCATION AT WHICH SAID SEVERING MEANS SEVERS A HELIX DISCHARGEDFROM SAID DIE, AND MEANS FOR GUIDING A HELIX FROM SAID SECOND LOCATIONTO SAID FIRST LOCATION.